I see no problem with the legitimate uses for it. But we are blinded by another aspect. It is the exception that someone has Whatsapp and spends hardly any time on it. In reality, having this app already robs 1-2 hours a day, at minimum, from one’s day. Our perception of technology as having saved us time is inaccurate. It actually fills much more of our days (and nights) with utter trivia. Just how many of the messages we send or receive daily are important? I estimate that the percentage is somewhere between 5-10%. Is the rest of the time being stolen from our parenting time for the children, taking care of our tasks at home or work? How about bittul Torah?
At present, I blocked this app on my phone through my filter. I can fathom reasons that are not relevant now to open it, and may do so when it will have legitimate use. Meanwhile, I am way too stingy with my time to the beeps that will apprise me of some foolishness. Humor is wonderful, but it has its time and space.
For everything else, there is email and a phone number. That has proven to be quite adequate. Technology has served me well, but has often threatened to impinge on my life in too many ways. B”H I have withstood the challenges. I cannot understand why we would take such extensive precautions to protect our valuables but are ready to squander our time on narishkeit.